What is the Kanji for "Child"?
If you are wondering what is the Japanese Kanji for "Child", you've come to the right place!
The Japanese Kanji for "Child" is "子".
This kanji has 3 readings:
Its kunyomi reading is "Ko".
Its onyomi readings are "Su" and "Shi".
kunyomi readings are based on the pronunciation of native Japanese words, and onyomi readings are based on the Chinese pronunciation of the character.
If you visually breakdown this kanji, you can see is made up of 2 parts:
The kanji "了" means "Finish" and "Complete" and can be read as "Ryou". And The kanji "一" means "One" and can be read as "Ichi", "Itsu", and "Hito".
Now, let's make sure you understand this kanji the other way around too.
What does the kanji "子" mean in japanese?
"子" means "Child".
Japanese School Students learn this kanji in First Grade, while foreigners may learn this kanji in preparation for the JLPT N5 exam.
Here are some words that use this kanji:
子供: "Child". The Japanese noun '子供 (こども)' means 'child'. This word refers to a young human being, typically below the age of puberty. It can be used to describe a boy or a girl. '子供' is a very common word in Japanese and is used in a wide variety of contexts. For example: I have two children - (私は2人の子供がいます). The children are playing in the park - (子供たちが公園で遊んでいます).
子: "Child". The Japanese noun '子 (こ)' means 'child'. This word is used to refer to a young human being, typically someone who has not yet reached adulthood. It can be used on its own or in compound words to indicate a child, offspring, or young person. For example: My child is very cute - (私の子は とてもかわいい). The child is playing - (子が遊んでいる).
様子: "Situation". The noun '様子 (ようす)' means 'situation'. It refers to the state, condition, or circumstances of something. This word is commonly used to describe the current state of affairs, the way things are going, or how a particular situation is unfolding. For example: What is the situation? - (様子はどうですか). The situation is unclear - (様子がよくわかりません).
息子: "Son". The Japanese noun '息子 (むすこ)' means 'son'. This word refers to a male child in relation to their parents. It is commonly used to describe one's own son or the son of another person. For example: My son is 10 years old - (私の息子は10歳です). She has a son - (彼女には息子がいます).
女の子: "Girl". The Japanese noun '女の子 (おんなのこ)' refers to a female child or young woman. It is used to describe a young, typically pre-adolescent, female person. '女の子' can be used to describe girls of various ages, from young children to teenagers. For example: That girl is so cute - (あの女の子はとてもかわいい). The little girl played with her doll - (その女の子は人形で遊んでいた).
椅子: "Chair". The Japanese noun '椅子 (いす)' means 'chair'. This word refers to a piece of furniture with a back and seat that is used for sitting. Chairs can come in a variety of shapes, sizes, and materials, and are commonly found in homes, offices, restaurants, and other settings. For example: I am sitting in a chair - (私は椅子に座っています). Please have a seat in that chair - (あの椅子に座ってください)
女子: "Woman" or "Female". The Japanese noun '女子 (じょし)' means 'woman' or 'female'. It is used to refer to a female person, often in an academic or formal context. For example: The female students at the university - (大学の女子学生). She is a woman - (彼女は女子です).
電子: "Electron". The noun '電子 (でんし)' refers to an elementary particle that has a negative electrical charge and is a fundamental component of atoms. Electrons are responsible for many electrical and chemical phenomena, and are essential in the functioning of electronic devices. For example: The computer uses electricity to power the millions of electrons flowing through its circuits - (コンピュータは回路を流れる何百万もの電子を使って電力を供給しています).
お菓子: "Sweets". The Japanese noun 'お菓子 (おかし)' refers to 'sweets'. This can include a wide variety of confectionery items like cookies, cakes, candies, and pastries. お菓子 is a general term that encompasses many different types of sweet treats. For example: I love to eat Japanese sweets - (私は日本のお菓子が大好きです). She bought a box of assorted sweets - (彼女は色々なお菓子が入ったボックスを買いました).
調子: "Condition" or "State". The Japanese noun '調子 (ちょうし)' refers to the overall condition, state, or status of something. It can be used to describe the state of one's health, the functioning of a machine, the mood or tone of a conversation, and more. For example: My computer is not functioning well, its condition is poor - (私のコンピューターは調子が悪い). The weather is in good condition today - (今日の天気は調子がいい).
男の子: "Boy". The Japanese noun '男の子 (おとこのこ)' refers to a young male human. This word is used to describe a male child or adolescent. It can be used to refer to a son, grandson, or any young male individual. For example: I have a little boy - (私は男の子がいます). The boy is playing outside - (男の子は外で遊んでいます).
末っ子: "Youngest child". The noun '末っ子 (すえっこ)' refers to the youngest child in a family. This word is used to describe the last-born child, who is often doted on by the rest of the family. For example: My youngest child - (私の末っ子). The youngest sibling - (末っ子の弟/妹).
菓子: "Confectionery". The Japanese noun '菓子 (かし)' means 'confectionery'. This word refers to various types of sweet snacks, pastries, and desserts. It can be used to describe a wide range of sweet baked goods, candies, and other confections. For example: I bought some Japanese confectionery - (和菓子を買いました). The shop sells many kinds of confectionery - (お店は様々な菓子を売っています).
弟子: "Disciple". The noun '弟子 (でし)' means 'disciple'. This word refers to a follower or student of a teacher, master, or leader. It is often used in the context of religious, philosophical, or martial arts teachings, where the disciple is devoted to learning from and following the guidance of their mentor. For example: He is a disciple of the Zen master - (彼は禅僧の弟子です). The samurai's disciple trained diligently - (侍の弟子は熱心に修行した).
親子: "Parent-child". The Japanese noun '親子 (おやこ)' refers to the relationship between a parent and their child. It is a compound word consisting of '親' (oya) meaning 'parent' and '子' (ko) meaning 'child'. This term is used to describe the bond and connection between parents and their offspring. For example: The parent-child relationship is very important - (親子関係は非常に大切だ). The parent and child went shopping together - (親子で一緒に買い物に行った).
原子: "Atom". The Japanese noun '原子 (げんし)' refers to the basic unit of a chemical element which has the smallest possible amount of that element. Atoms are the fundamental building blocks of matter and consist of a nucleus containing protons and neutrons, surrounded by a cloud of electrons. For example: The scientist studied the atom under a microscope - (科学者は顕微鏡で原子を調べた).
原子力: "Atomic power". The noun '原子力 (げんしりょく)' refers to atomic power or nuclear power. It describes the energy generated from the splitting or fusion of atomic nuclei. This power source is used to generate electricity in nuclear power plants. It is a controversial topic due to concerns over nuclear waste and potential accidents. For example: Nuclear power is a major source of electricity - (原子力は主要な電力源である). Nuclear power plants use atomic power to produce electricity - (原子力発電所は原子力を使って電気を作る).
男子: "Man". The Japanese noun '男子 (だんし)' means 'man'. This word refers to an adult male human being. It can be used to describe a grown-up male person as opposed to a boy or a woman. For example: The man went to work - (男子は仕事に行った). He is a kind man - (彼は優しい男子です).
障子: "Sliding door". The Japanese noun '障子 (しょうじ)' refers to a traditional Japanese sliding door made of a wooden frame covered with thin, translucent paper. Shoji are commonly used in traditional Japanese-style architecture and provide a way to divide rooms or allow light to enter while maintaining privacy. They can be opened and closed to control the flow of air and light in a space. For example: The shoji door was opened to let in more sunlight - (障子を開けて日光を入れた).
子育て: "Childcare". The noun '子育て (こそだて)' refers to the act of raising and caring for children. It encompasses all the tasks and responsibilities involved in nurturing and supporting a child's development, including feeding, clothing, educating, and providing for their physical and emotional needs. This term is commonly used to describe the experience and challenges of parenthood. For example: She is focused on childcare and looking after her young family - (彼女は子育てに集中し、若い家族を世話している).
子宮: "Uterus". The Japanese noun '子宮 (しきゅう)' refers to the uterus, which is the organ in the female body where a baby develops during pregnancy. It is located in the lower abdomen and has a pear-like shape. The term '子宮' is commonly used in medical contexts and discussions related to women's reproductive health. For example: The doctor examined her uterus - (医者が彼女の子宮を検査した).
分子: "Molecule". The Japanese noun '分子 (ぶんし)' refers to a molecule, which is the smallest unit of a chemical compound that still retains its chemical properties. Molecules are composed of atoms bonded together. This term is commonly used in chemistry and biology to describe the building blocks of matter. For example: The molecule is very small - (その分子はとても小さい). Hydrogen molecules - (水素分子).
帽子: "Hat". The Japanese noun '帽子 (ぼうし)' refers to a head covering or hat. It can be used to describe various types of headwear, such as baseball caps, fedoras, beanies, etc. This word is commonly used in everyday Japanese conversations. For example: I'm wearing a hat - (ぼうしを被っている). She bought a new hat - (彼女は新しいぼうしを買った).
車椅子: "Wheelchair". 車椅子 (くるまいす) is the Japanese word for 'wheelchair'. It refers to a chair with wheels that is used by people with physical disabilities or mobility impairments to help them move around. Wheelchairs provide independence and mobility to those who need assistance getting from one place to another. For example: She uses a wheelchair to get around the office - (彼女はオフィスを移動するのに車椅子を使っています).
養子: "Adopted child". The Japanese noun '養子 (ようし)' means 'adopted child'. This word refers to a person who has been legally adopted and is now part of a family other than the one they were born into. Adoption is a common practice in Japan and '養子' describes the child who has been adopted. For example: The couple adopted a 養子. - (その夫婦は養子を迎えた。)
皇子: "Prince". The Japanese noun '皇子 (おうじ)' refers to a male member of an imperial or royal family, specifically a prince. This term is used to denote the son of an emperor or king. For example: The emperor's son is the crown prince - (天皇の子は皇太子)。The emperor's young prince - (まだ幼い皇子)。
子孫: "Descendants". The Japanese noun '子孫 (しそん)' means 'descendants'. It refers to one's offspring or future generations that come after an individual or family. This word is commonly used when discussing family lineage, inheritance, or the continuation of a family's legacy. For example: My descendants will carry on the family business - (私の子孫が家業を継ぐでしょう). He has no direct descendants - (彼に直接の子孫はいない).
母子: "Mother and child". The noun '母子 (ぼし)' refers to a mother and her child. It is a compound word made up of '母' (mother) and '子' (child). This term is used to describe the close relationship and bond between a mother and her offspring. It can be used in various contexts, such as discussing family dynamics, social welfare programs, or healthcare related to maternal and child wellbeing. Example sentences: The mother and child were inseparable - (母子は離れられなかった). The clinic provides support for mothers and their children - (その診療所は母子のために支援を行っている).
利子: "Interest". The noun '利子 (りし)' refers to the interest earned or accrued on a loan, deposit, or investment. It represents the additional amount paid or received on top of the principal amount. Interest is the cost of borrowing money or the reward for saving money. For example: The bank pays interest on my savings account - (銀行は私の貯金口座に利子を払っています). I have to pay interest on my car loan - (自動車ローンの利子を払わなければなりません).
拍子: "Beat" or "Rhythm". The Japanese noun '拍子 (ひょうし)' refers to the beat or rhythm in music. It can describe the underlying metrical structure or timing of a musical piece. '拍子' is used to indicate the pattern of strong and weak beats that organizes the flow of a song or dance. For example: The singer kept perfect time with the beat - (歌手はその拍子にぴったりとあわせていた). The traditional dance has a lively rhythm - (その伝統的な踊りは生き生きとした拍子だ).
判子: "Seal". The Japanese noun '判子 (はんこ)' refers to a seal, stamp, or chop used for signing and stamping official documents. It is an important part of Japanese business culture and personal identification. '判子' can be made from a variety of materials such as wood, stone, or metal and often feature one's name written in a stylized fashion. For example: Please stamp the document with your seal - (書類にあなたの判子を押して下さい). I need to get a new seal made - (新しい印鑑を作らないといけない).
迷子: "Lost (person)". The noun '迷子 (まいご)' refers to a person who is lost, especially a child who has become separated from their family or guardians. It can be used in situations where someone has become disoriented and cannot find their way, often in an unfamiliar place. For example: The child was found - (迷子の子供が見つかった). I became a lost person at the mall - (私はショッピングモールで迷子になった).
双子: "Twin". The Japanese noun '双子 (ふたご)' means 'twin'. This word refers to two children born to the same mother at the same time. It can be used to describe human twins as well as twins of other animals. For example: We are twins - (私たちは双子です). The twin kittens are so cute - (双子の子猫はとてもかわいい).
To make really sure you learn this Kanji, I've prepared an interactive lesson for you. You are going to learn the readings and meanings of this kanji.
But first, you need to know a little bit about Hiragana and Katakana.
Hiragana and katakana are japanese syllabaries, this means that each character represents a syllable.
This are the characters you need to know for this lesson:
The hiragana "す" is read as "su". The hiragana "し" is read as "shi". And The hiragana "こ" is read as "ko".
Heres a quick tutorial on how to use it. You'll be asked three type of questions: meaning, reading, and writing.
For meanings questions all you have to do is type the english meaning. If there is more than one meaning, you have to include them all in your answer separating them by commas (,).
For Reading questions you have to type the reading in romaji (roman letters, our normal alphabet) and it'll be automatically converted to hiragana if necessary. If there is more than one reading, you have to include them all in your answer separating them by commas (,).
For Writing questions some options will appear and all you have to do is select the correct ones.